Thodupuzha: The Thodupuzha First Class Judicial Magistrate has dismissed a police case against Kerala power minister M.M. Mani over a controversial speech he reportedly made at Manakkad five years ago. The court allowed an acquittal plea submitted by the minister.
Mani delivered the speech, which ignited a major controversy, on May 25, 2012 when he was Idukki district secretary of the CPM. He had said the party had murdered political rivals after drawing up a list. He was referring to the murders of Baby Ancheri, Muttukad Nanappan, and Mullanchira Mathai.
The Thodupuzha police then filed a case against Mani. He was charged with delivering a speech loaded with provocation, causing scare and prompting riot. He was also booked for threatening a police officer with the intention of hindering him from carrying out his duties.
The court said the charges failed to stand the test of law. A special investigation team formed after Mani's Manakkad speech had charged him with the murder of Baby Anchery, Muttukad Nanappan, and Mullanchira Mathai. However, a charge sheet had been filed in the Thodupuzha court only in the Baby Anchery murder case.